Bethesda under severe storm threat Monday

The latest forecast from the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center portends trouble for the Washington, D.C. suburbs and central Maryland tomorrow, Monday, March 16, 2026. Many meteorologists are saying the NWS prediction is showing the highest chance of a tornado or derecho event they've seen in many years. The NWS predicts there is a 15-29% chance of a tornado in Montgomery and Frederick Counties Monday. The "moderate" designation means "widespread severe storms are likely," with severe weather most likely between 3:00 PM and 9:00 PM.

Such a forecast underscores the importance of monitoring weather forecasts and NWS bulletins over the next 36 hours. Make sure to bring indoors or secure any objects in your yard or on your balcony that could be lifted by high winds. Replace batteries in flashlights and transistor radios as needed tonight, try to fully charge your cellphone, and ensure you have at least half a tank of gas. A few days' supply of non-refrigerated snacks and water bottles can't hurt. Finally, have a plan for all occupants of your home to quickly move to the basement or lowest level of your house if you receive a Tornado Warning on your phone.

When will Tropical Storm Debby impact Bethesda?

Tropical Storm Debby is currently 471 miles from Bethesda, which will feel the former hurricane's impacts over the next three days. The storm will affect the entire Washington, D.C. metro area from around 8:00 PM Thursday night to 1:00 AM on Saturday morning. Accuweather is currently forecasting a total rainfall of 4 to 8 inches, with peak wind gusts of 40 MPH. The peak of the storm is expected to be from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Friday, when the most rain will fall on the area.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has declared a State of Preparedness ahead of the storm. "The safety of Marylanders is our top priority," Moore said in a statement. "By declaring a State of Preparedness, I am directing the Department of Emergency Management to coordinate the comprehensive preparation of State government ahead of potential impacts from the remnants of Tropical Storm Debby. Residents and visitors should monitor local weather forecasts, remain vigilant, and be prepared to follow safety instructions from local emergency officials."

Remember to keep phones and devices charged ahead of the storm. Now is the time to check batteries in your flashlights, and purchase additional batteries. Have a small transistor radio to monitor emergency bulletins and weather conditions if you lose power. And make sure your gas tank is at least half-full.

Tropical Storm Debby is currently approaching the coast of South Carolina. Its maximum sustained wind speed is 60 MPH, according to the National Weather Service, and it is moving northeast at 5 MPH. The storm is blamed for the deaths of six people in the southern United States so far.

Images courtesy NOAA, Office of Gov. Wes Moore

Wind storm causes partial power outage at Bethesda auto dealership

The wind storm that buffeted the area on Sunday and Monday caused a partial power outage at a downtown Bethesda auto dealership. Chevy Chase Cars' Pre-Owned Supercenter had to temporarily close yesterday, after the building lost power. Operations were able to continue elsewhere on the property. Customers were directed to the facility's adjacent Acura showroom, which still had power.

Thousands without power in Bethesda after thunderstorm damages and uproots trees

Pepco crews staging at the 7-Eleven store
on River Road in Bethesda this morning

UPDATE - 7:07 AM: Additional brownouts reported in the Westbard area from 6:49 AM to 6:51 AM, at which time there was a power outage from 6:51 to 7:03 AM, and at 7:04 AM.

Over 10,000 Pepco customers remain without power this morning in Montgomery County, but that number is down about 60,000 from the height of last evening's thunderstorm damage. The weather event, and resulting tree and power line damage, has been one of the few significant tests for Pepco since the electric utility was acquired by Exelon in 2016. Yesterday's storm appeared deceptively routine for late summer, but spawned straight line winds in areas like North Bethesda and Rockville, and had some in Northwest Washington, D.C. reporting a tornado in their community.

Southwest Bethesda neighborhoods like Springfield, Sumner, Wood Acres, Bannockburn and Spring Hill are still experiencing significant power outages. Grid resiliency issues reared their head again in the Westbard area long after skies had cleared Saturday night. Residents there who were fortunate enough to retain power after the storm last night report experiencing brownouts at 2:12 AM and 4:32 AM. The 4:32 AM brownout was an extended one, as after a split-second blackout that ravaged appliance motors, light fixtures were shimmering and flickering until all power was lost around 4:45 AM. Power was then restored around 4:48 AM. Interestingly, both brownout episodes reported seem to coincide with brand new power outages in the Westbard and Wood Acres/Searl Terrace areas, which the Pepco outage map indicates were reported at 2:15 AM (Searl Terrace) and 4:53 AM (Westbard Avenue). This morning's brownouts follow three sunny day brownouts in the Westbard area two weeks ago.

In North Bethesda, apartment building residents reported being in the dark Saturday night, and outages persist around Grosvenor, Garrett Park, Tilden Lane, Randolph Hills and the Randolph Road corridor this morning. Things aren't looking much better in the Twinbrook and Rollins Park areas of Rockville.

Aspen Hill is still smarting today with many outages. Fortunately for those without air conditioning, today's high will "only" be 85 degrees, instead of the 99 degree peak experienced last Friday. Outages also persist around Leisure World, Bel Pre Road, Wheaton, Kensington, Kemp Mill, Takoma Park, Hillandale, Colesville and Fairland. 

The storm appears to have cut a straight path across Montgomery Village, Goshen, and Laytonsville, judging from the large number of outages there. Outages remain in the Kentlands, Montgomery College-Germantown campus, Olney and Sandy Spring areas. 

Bethesda under flood watch until 11:00 PM tonight as severe storms approach

Severe thunderstorms are expected to pass through the area this afternoon and evening. The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch that will remain in effect until 11:00 PM tonight for Montgomery County, Prince George's County and most of Maryland west of the Chesapeake Bay, Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia. Rainfall amounts of 2-4" are expected, in timeframes as little as one or two hours, leading to potential flash flooding. Isolated strong wind gusts are also expected.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) issued a statement this afternoon regarding the severe weather forecast. "More severe weather is expected to impact our state this afternoon and evening, including thunderstorms that could produce damaging wind gusts, heavy rainfall, and flash flooding," Hogan said. He urged residents to "please monitor local forecasts, exercise caution while traveling, and never drive through standing water."

Now is the time to charge your devices, and check the batteries in your flashlights. Bring objects that might fly away in from yards and balconies. Have a battery-powered radio to receive information in case of power outages. For Pepco customers, download the Pepco app to report power outages.

Brief but violent storm causes several power outages in Bethesda

UPDATE 6:46 PM: Eastbound River Road is closed at Springfield Drive in Bethesda. A tree has fallen in the roadway.

A brief storm with intense lightning, strong winds and heavy blasts of hail passed through Bethesda just before 6:00 PM this evening. At this time, there are about 2580 Pepco customers wihout power. The power outages are currently in Westmoreland Hills, Springfield, Burning Tree Estates, Carderock, Chevy Chase, Tilden Woods, and homes near Walt Whitman High School and The Heights school, according to Pepco. It looks like one of the storm cells followed East-West Highway at one point, causing some major outages in that corridor of Chevy Chase and Silver Spring.

Snowstorm hits Bethesda for an icy start to 2022 (Photos)

The most significant snowstorm in several years yesterday caused some limited power outages and a number of traffic accidents. Many businesses closed for part or all of Monday. There are currently small numbers of Pepco customers without power in Spring Hill, Brookdale, American University Park, Bannockburn, Glen Echo, Wyngate, and between Fernwood Road and Old Georgetown Road near Wildwood Shopping Center.

This morning, Bethesda hit a hard freeze of 19 degrees. Montgomery County Public Schools closed for a second day. Metrobus is operating on a Severe Storm Schedule. Ride On bus is on a normal weekday schedule, but expect delays and detours based on road conditions in specific areas.

The calm before the storm:
Montgomery County deicing vehicle
stands by on Westbard Avenue as
snow approaches

Many businesses closed Monday, 
including the venerable Tastee Diner,
which reopened at 5:00 AM this morning

Significant power outages in Bethesda as storm produces heavy lightning in D.C. area

Over 1000 Pepco customers across Bethesda, Chevy Chase and Potomac have lost power so far in a storm that struck the area just after 8:00 PM tonight. The storm's most destructive feature so far has been the frequent lightning, along with some strong wind gusts. Hardest hit so far has been the Woodmont Triangle in downtown Bethesda, where over 1180 homes and businesses are now in the dark. Smaller outages (between 5 and 60 customers apiece) have been reported in Wyngate, Lone Oak, Westlake, Potomac, Carderock, Glen Echo Heights, and Chevy Chase.

Bethesda hit by storm, power outages

A thunderstorm that has just ended caused streets to fill with rushing water, rained torrential downpours and hail, and knocked out power to about 3000 customers across Bethesda. Metro trains are bypassing the Bethesda station due to escalators being down. Shuttle buses have been requested for stranded passengers.

There is standing water on Wilson Lane near Clarendon Road, and power lines are down there. Wires are also down at Old Georgetown Road and Huntington Parkway, where lightning struck a utility pole.

Pepco is estimating restoration of power to customers currently in the dark by 9:00 PM to 1:00 AM.

Storm causes power outage in North Bethesda

Heavy rain and sometimes-gusty winds passed through the D.C. area early this morning. Pepco reports one power outage in the Bethesda area at this hour. The outage is around Executive Boulevard in North Bethesda; Pepco does not identify the specific number of customers affected, but only 39 Pepco customers systemwide are without power at the moment, so it is only a few. Pepco estimates the power will be restored in North Bethesda by 10:00 AM this morning.

Tornado-like destruction in Westgate neighborhood of Bethesda

A fast-moving, nearly-silent storm whisked through Bethesda early this morning around 3:00 AM. It appears to have spawned a small tornado or straight-line wind gust in the Westgate neighborhood off of Massachusetts Avenue.

Trees and limbs were brought down on homes, yards and cars on Newport Avenue at Earlston Drive, according to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson Pete Piringer. I heard the wind, and it sounded highly unusual. I expected there could be a tornado imminent, but never heard the typical roaring sound one would generate. But the wind was one continuous gust that never let up for about 90 seconds. I heard no thunder and saw no lightning.

Photo by Pete Piringer/MCFRS

Late night storm causes power outage in Bethesda

A late night storm pelted Bethesda with hail, rain and gusty winds around 11:20 PM Wednesday night. Pepco reports two power outages in Montgomery County; one is in the Cabin John area south of River Road in Bethesda. About seven customers are affected. Pepco predicts a 2:00 AM Thursday restoration time. The other outage is in the Clarksburg area. Further outages and tree damage are possible overnight, as the winds are continuing even after the storm has passed.

Evening storm causes major power outages in downtown Bethesda, Chevy Chase

Update 8:52 PM: Flood warning extended until 2 AM. High water on Bradley Boulevard near Kentsdale Drive and Cabin John Creek; hundreds without power at Grosvenor Park 3 in North Bethesda

Power is out to almost 4000 Pepco customers in the Bethesda area, including over 2000 in downtown Bethesda and Chevy Chase. The largest outage in downtown Bethesda is in the vicinity of Bradley Boulevard between Arlington Road and Wisconsin Avenue.

There is a danger of flooding until 2:00 AM tomorrow morning. Avoid flood-prone roadways like Goldsboro Road and Little Falls Parkway if possible. A tree is reported down at the intersection of River Road and Bradley Boulevard. WMATA reports that the fallen tree is affecting service times for the T2 bus between Friendship Heights and the Rockville Metro station.

Lightning strikes cause power outages in Bethesda

UPDATE: A tree has fallen across the CSX railroad tracks in Garrett Park

An electrical storm with an unusual amount of cloud-to-ground lightning hit Montgomery County around 7:30 tonight, leaving downed trees and power outages in its wake. About 1000 customers are without power at this time. The outages largely correspond to the locations where bolts of lightning were seen touching down during the storm.

Outages were initially located primarily in the River Road and Bradley Boulevard corridors of Bethesda, as well as one in Brookmont. However, outage reports surged after the storm passed, and are now widespread across Bethesda. A major outage covers a wide area between River Road and Democracy Boulevard.

Trees have been reported falling on Harrogate Road, Renshaw Drive, Greentree Road, Crane Terrace, and Alcott Road, and several on Woodhaven Boulevard alone near Bradley, according to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson Pete Piringer.

River Road is flooded at Counselman Road in Potomac; avoid that area.

Hailstorm hits Bethesda, causes power outages, trees to fall

A hailstorm that hit Bethesda around 5:20 PM this afternoon has knocked out power in several neighborhoods, and knocked down some trees. Several residents have reported trees down in the Westgate, Glen Cove, Crestview and Brookdale subdivisions.

One tree was reported down on Rodman Road near Jamestown Road in the Westgate area of Bethesda; others closer to Western Avenue. A transformer fire was reported a few blocks away from there on Crescent Street by Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson Pete Piringer. About 30 customers are without power there and in nearby Brookdale, according to Pepco.

The Western Avenue corridor and neighborhoods near the Potomac River appear to have been the hardest hit. Less than 5 customers are currently without power in Cabin John, and several hundred are in the dark between Bradley Boulevard and Democracy Boulevard.

Storm packs a punch in Bethesda with flooding and power outages

Hundreds were left without power overnight across Bethesda, as several storms passed through the area with heavy lightning, torrential downpours, high winds, and even hail. During the 10:00 PM hour, at least 5 homes were struck by lightning, according Montgomery County Fire and Rescue spokesman Pete Piringer. One home was struck on Rollingwood Drive in Chevy Chase.

Wires were down in many places, and trees and limbs came crashing down on homes. A tree fell on a home in the 6100 block of Stardust Lane, in the Country Club Forest community.

Occupants of a vehicle were trapped by flooding near the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Goldsboro Road. MCFRS dispatched a Swift Water Rescue team to the scene around 11:40 PM, but the victims managed to escape the vehicle before they arrived.

The southwest area of Bethesda was particularly hard hit by power outages, as were Bethesda neighborhoods along the Capital Beltway.

Overnight storms knock out power in downtown Bethesda area, Chevy Chase (Photos)

Lightning over Chevy Chase Cars
on Wisconsin Avenue Monday evening

An early evening thunderstorm Monday got a lot of media attention from weather forecasters. But a seemingly-less powerful storm came through early this morning, and caused at least two power outages overnight.

Pepco map of major downtown
Bethesda/Town of Chevy Chase
power outage

One outage knocked out power to over 1000 Pepco customers across a wide swath of downtown Bethesda and the Town of Chevy Chase. The area ran roughly from Bradley Lane to Georgia Street in Chevy Chase, to West Virginia Avenue to the north, and along Wisconsin and Woodmont Avenues to the west.

A second outage affected a small area and 55 customers in Chevy Chase, and was caused by downed power lines, according to Pepco.

BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES

Whatever preparations you make for severe weather - make them tonight. A powerful line of violent thunderstorms is expected to reach the Bethesda/DC area Wednesday afternoon. Heavy winds, strong lightning activity and heavy rainfall have the potential to cause damage and flooding across the region. This would be a good time to ensure your gas tank is at least half-full, balcony or outdoor furniture is secure or brought indoors, and to prepare for potential power outages.

This line of storms has already killed at least two people in the southern United States, and caused tremendous damage there. Stay tuned here and at @BethesdaRow on Twitter for updates.

BETHESDA STORM DAMAGE PHOTOS + POWER OUTAGE UPDATE

Limb down in downtown Bethesda

Power outages and many fallen tree limbs are the primary evidence of the violent storm that hit Bethesda late this afternoon. One woman was struck by lightning at Old Georgetown Road and Democracy Boulevard. Her injuries were considered non-life-threatening, according to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue spokesman Pete Piringer.

Thousands are without power in Bethesda; the hardest hit areas are along the River Road/Massachusetts Avenue corridors, and North Bethesda. Multiple traffic signals along River Road were dark this evening. Pepco's outage site is not giving estimated times for power restoration for any of these outages.

Here are some photos of the aftermath; there may be more photos (not to mention more storms) to come tonight, and tomorrow.

Tree limb meets car

Dark traffic signals at River Road
and Ridgefield Road

Tree limb blocks northbound lanes
of Arlington Road just south
of Bradley Boulevard

Storm-tossed fencing and construction
equipment at the 7770 Norfolk
luxury apartment tower construction
site

Bethesda Urban Partnership
cart got knocked aside in
Veterans Park

BETHESDA STORM UPDATE - THUNDERSTORM CAUSED MINIMAL DAMAGE, MAXIMUM POWER OUTAGES

PEPCO RESTORED

MOST BETHESDA

OUTAGES BY END OF

EVENING

A typical summer thunderstorm passed through Bethesda yesterday, but caused extensive power outages across town.  While a number of trees fell, the damage was nowhere near that caused by the so-called "derecho" storm this summer.

Many residents reported losing power even before the storm had reached its height.  There was also frustration that Pepco had initially given restoration timetables to customers, and then later declined to give any estimate.

Power outages affected downtown Bethesda on streets like St. Elmo, Norfolk and Fairmont Avenues.  Many restaurants were forced to close for the prime dinner hours, including Chef Tony's, Union Jack's, Olazzo, Jiffy Shoppes, and Plaza del Sol.  All eventually had power restored, and will be open for regular business today.

Outside of town, traffic lights were out at some intersections of River Road and Old Georgetown Road, and in many of the neighborhoods they border.  A burning tree limb was reported at the intersection of River Road and Braeburn Parkway.

A fallen tree entirely shut down
Westbard Avenue for hours Saturday

 An entire tree collapsed across Westbard Avenue, in front of the Westbard Mews townhome community.  The road was blocked for hours, and there were no police or even flares to warn drivers.  One citizen eventually entered the roadway, haplessly attempting to direct traffic with an umbrella.  Nearby, Bowlmor Lanes, McDonald's, Giant Food and the Park Bethesda apartment were without power.

A large tree limb was hanging from Pepco
wires, but was not the culprit in outages

Pepco restored power across downtown Bethesda first.  A Pepco truck was spotted about 40 minutes later in the Westbard area.  Over the next few hours, all outages in that area were restored, with Park Bethesda being the last.

If you are still without power, please post a comment below.  As far as outages that I received tips about from readers and friends, every one of them has been restored.  So I won't make it "official" until I give others a chance to report outages, but anecdotally, Pepco did a far superior job than during the last storm.  Of course, the damage was far less, and many couldn't understand what exactly caused the power to go out in the first place. But not having to go for days without power yet again, I can't complain too much; it really could be worse.